Results tagged ‘ Jeff Francis ’
Rox Slip and Dex Hurts His Hip
5-3-13
Rays vs Rockies Game 1
This would be my first game since the EY Bobble head game. Whole lotta props to my baseball buddies that weathered those snow games. I’m not a fair weather or cold weather fan, I’m a warm weather fan and I had my own snow issues to deal with up in Black Hawk.
Before blogging and before taking pictures my favorite thing about MLB baseball is batting practice. I love me some good BP. For some reason that ain’t happening this year. Usually by a month into the season I’ve at least snagged my first ball.
I didn’t take my usual 4 mg of pictures today. A blast from the past kinked my groove during BP and that put a damper on the rest of my evening. I’m not a fan of aggressive ball hawks and I feel like in the pavilion there’s a good group of fellas that know how to respect personal space during batting practice. Every now and then we bump into each other, but because we know each other we know it’s unintentional.
There’s nothing worse than an overly eager ball hawk coming up in your space on a quest for a meaningless BP ball.
Ball Hawking Etiquette… Don’t touch or invade the space of other ball hawks and pay attention to your surroundings. By entering someone’s space chasing a BP ball, you risk injuring yourself and the other person trying to catch the ball which could result in one of you taking a missile to the face.
Remember in the end it’s just a f’kn BP ball YO!
I watched older gentlemen getting hauled away on a stretcher from the game tonight after taking a foul ball to the face. It happens, it’s never pretty and this Ranter has no plans of leaving Coors Field by that particular mode of transportation.
FYI…If you come within a foot(what I consider a reasonable personal space) of me chasing a ball and push, bump or touch me in the pursuit a ball, I take that as a sign of aggression and that’s when I temporarily forget I’m there to chase baseballs.
I realize that one-sided chat with this dude is inevitable; I just wanted to give a little history on the matter before I’m standing in front of a judge…Or maybe the guy will read this, realize he’s the “overly aggressive ball hawk” in question and stop being a Dick…Nuff said on that.
BP was a bust today, I did have play on a ground rule double but it bounced wildly off the outfield wall and I totally blew it. Other than that, zero BP homers were hit in my direction.
IMO… BP is not what it used to be, that my friends is sad.
Back in the day I used to like Jeff Francis, he grew up in Canada just like me.
Now I find the only thing I like about Jeff Francis is his walk-up song….Rush-Tom Sawyer…That’s sad as well.
Why is the only guy from Canada wearing a jacket while on first base?
Things that make you say “Hmmm”. I’m thinking of a 5 letter word that starts with “P”.
Francis allowed four runs and five hits in five innings.
Quote from the Canadian Sizzlean: “I felt like if I’d made some better pitches, we could have been ahead and won this game,” Francis said. “I missed with a couple of pitches and it cost me some runs.”
Really Jeff? I dreamt I was a millionaire and woke up broke.
See anybody you know in the background?
Now that’s a nice set of horns
Cuddy blasting a home run into the fountain.
The Cargo serious look.
It always amazes me how many dudes drop the ball, it’s not that hard Dan caught one with his glove behind his back.
Dexter had to leave the game early with an injured hip flexor. EY JR took his place.
This collision is where Dex hurt his hip.
Rockies let this one advance to 10 innings and Matt Belisle blows it.
Rockies lose Game 1 to the Rays…7-4
I’m “D” the Ranter…C’mon Rockies I got a lil fight in me, where’s yours?
One more thing, everyone on the planet knows you can save 15% on your car insurance by switching to Geico. Do they have to fly a plane with a banner over the stadium every game? That stupid plane is so damn noisy it’s like a mosquito with a bullhorn…Seriously we know about the 15% and we’ve known for years…”D”
The Tour Was Boring So I Went Exploring
Road Trip to Kauffman
Rockies vs Royals Game 1 and 2
Robert and I drove straight through the night on a mission to give the Rockies some much needed support on the road during two of their three games in Kansas City.
Kaufman Stadium is the closest MLB ballpark to Denver and I’ve been wanting to go there since I read Zack Hample’s blog about his record breaking experience there.
The opportunity to see the Rockies play in KC doesn’t happen often so I jumped on it.
Zack Hample at Kauffman Stadium 6-18-2009
Robert hooked me up and drove part of the way so I could get some sleep as I have a job and he’s retired.
Although two hours in a car seat ain’t what I’d call quality ZZZZ’s.
We crossed the Geogre Brett bridge arriving in front of Kauffman Stadium several hours before the joint opened.
Then we did what any baseball fan and photographer would do the first time they visit a new stadium. We walked around the outside of Kauffman taking pictures getting a feel for it.
We were also killing some time before we could check into our hotel room.
We were told the spot to see the players arriving was by the front entrance so Robert and I camped our butts there. I had one of the locals explain to me that the groups of collectors sort of split up into two groups.
Those who collect autographs and those who sell them.
Then there’s Robert. He’s like me,…. we don’t sell them.
How cool is it that the players here use the front gate as their entrance into the stadium?
I noticed a lot of the Royals players who use that entrance rushed past their fans who were waiting patiently for autographs. I witnessed Billy Butler(Royals first baseman) use his wife and kids as a shield to avoid signing.
Unless you have grotesque warts or a people phobia you should sign for the fans who wait patiently for you.
I can’t really judge Billy though, maybe he signs a lot and today he wasn’t feel’n it?
There’s (sort of) a secret tunnel that some players use when they want to avoid the painstaking process of signing a few autographs. But I’d say the majority manned up and used the front gate.
(I didn’t try for any autographs today. I just wanted to take pictures. I’ll explain later why I have only a few pictures from Friday.)
We eventually had to leave so we could check into the hotel and get ready for the game but before we did we purchased a ticket for a stadum tour.
Not just any tour, this one was right up my alley .
It was an Early Bird Tour that gets you inside the stadium an hour early.
Ok so let me clarify the title of this entry. The stadium tour wasn’t really boring. In fact if you’re a Royals fan you might even find it interesting.
But from the second I set foot in Kauffman I wanted to explore. I knew the batting cages were up and the players were on the field.
Unfortunately before I could be free I had to watch a twenty minute long movie about the Royals from which there was no escape.
As soon as the movie ended and the tour continued I ducked out for a fake bathroom break and headed straight for left field….See Ya!
On my way there I walked past the Rockies bullpen where noticed Randy Flores warming-up.
He was finishing up and started walking out to left field to talk to someone. I called out his name but got no response.
I wandered out to where my seat location was in left field to check it out and realized I was the only visible fan in the entire stadium. Finally my moment of zen. I just stood there and let it soak in.
Moments like this are few are far between in my world and I enjoyed every second of my outfield bliss. My entire trip was worth those precious few minutes even if no BP homers were hit anywhere in the outfield during my moment of solitude.
When I came out of my zen moment I looked to my right and standing on the concourse were Robert and one of the tour guides both giving me the come here finger.
Oh well it was bliss while it lasted and I got mine.
They met up with me halfway and at that point we were standing along the third base wall. I explained to the tour guide that I really had no interest in the tour and I was only inside the stadium early to catch baseballs.
Just then Randy Flores finished his conversation walked by me and tossed me the baseball he had been holding.
Thanks Randy..I thought you didn’t notice but you did.
Our personal tour guide was more than cool. She let us stand behind the Rockies dugout for the rest of the tour. We hung out there watching the entire Rockies team work out until the stadium opened for the rest of the folks. Then we were released and free to roam.
For the short batting practice I stayed in left field but I did go over and check out the right field. It’s very cool the way you can just walk through there or stop and hang out.
I went back to left field and was glad I did. As I was standing on the top row I heard a loud crack and soon I was tracking a baseball heading my direction but beginning to curve to my right.
I had to dodge a few people and tripped over a chair slightly but I caught that ball.
I needed that to happen. I needed that memory…Now I could relax.
I met up with Robert after batting practice. He was shutout and not happy about it.
I never did sit in my exact seat during game one. Yes it was front row in left field but it was in the middle of the row and I would have been trapped. I sat in the last row of left field and had the chance at one home run ball.
Here’s the video the home run and you can see me on the walkway in left field by the Eldeman and Thompson billboard. I wasn’t that close but sometimes baseballs take a bounce so you never know.
This game was a tad depressing. It felt to me like the Rockies were tired and not into it. Not what I wanted to see after a long drive and a long day and the fact that I was totally into it. Props to my man Clint Barmes for trying to get something started with his homer in the eighth inning.
Rockies go on to lose my first regular season road trip game to see them by a final score of 9-2. To add insult to injury the next morning my film card got erased when we were trying to upload some of Robert’s pictures to my card.
So all of my day one pictures were deleted. It was my fault not Robert’s. For me losing pictures is like losing a friend. My pictures are my memory and my story..Oh well.
The Royals put on a fireworks show every Friday (home games), immediately after the game.
Here’s a few pictures Robert took of the display.
Rockies vs Royals Game Two
Armed with a freshly erased film card, a six pack of local brew and a desire to catch up on my picture taking Robert and I arrived at Kaufmann Stadium shortly after 11 am and proceeded to do a little tailgat’n.
Not a bad beer for a local Pale Ale..Colorado’s microbrewed beer is better.
Today was the World Series re-match of the 85 Royals vs the 85 Cardinals. Except they were playing softball.
I guess the big yellow softballs are easier to hit after you’ve retired.
I did my outside the stadium walk again and took pictures as we waited for the players to arrive and the gates to open.
The first Rockie to arrived was manager Jim Tracy.
Jim signed for everyone and when he got to me I shook his hand, introduced myself and told him that we came out from Denver to support the Rockies. I also mentioned that I write the world famous blog called the Rockpile Rant.
Feeling brave I then asked,… “Jim if I were to show up at the dugout at the end of the game is there any chance I could get the line-up card?”
Jim smiled and informed me that “they”(I’m not sure who “they” is), keep those cards. I was a bit bummed but Jim said it so damn nice that I didn’t mind.
Jim Tracy is one helluva nice guy.
Several other Rockies arrived via taxis. Here’s Matt Belisle signing my baseball.
Ian Stewart signed for damn near every Royals fan there. For some reason he totally ignored me even when I wished him good luck. Not sure what was up with him today.
We drove a long way and I don’t mind not getting an autograph but I could have done without the scowl. No worries Ian, there’s always a second chance here on the Rockpile Rant.
Everyone has a bad day.
Carlos Gonzalez arrived quick and entered quick. He recognized me from Coors and on his way in signed a ball on the sweet spot for me. I wished him good luck and that was it.
Thank you Carlos !
It was 1pm and time to enter the stadium. The field was set up for softball with fences in the outfield that kept falling down…Kinda funny.
The retired players were starting to come out of the dugouts and began warming up. You’d swear Snap, Crackle and Pop were throwing out the first pitch with all the bones creaking.
Here are the 1985 Cardinals
Here are the 1985 Royals
Robert and I figured we’d try for an autograph so we headed to the Royals side first. Danny Jackson was kind enough to autograph a ball for me. Danny had a homer in the game.
Then we headed over to the Cardinal’s side, that’s where I met a very cool dude named John.
John introduced himself and said he was Rant reader. He told me he thought the Rockpile Rant was entertaining.. John was on a road trip’n to Kauffman just like Robert and I.
He’s a huge Rockies fan and helped me get an autograph from Jack “The Ripper” Clark.
John was able to reach down low enough to hang a baseball in Jack’s face. Jack then grabbed the ball and signed it. 
Jack even autographed it “Ripper”. This is now one of my favorite autographs.
Here’s a shot of John working Kauffman getting his Rockies helmet signed.
Nice to meet you John and thank you very much brotha!
I thought it was intersting and cool that more people walked up to me, introduced themselves and told me they read the Rant in the two games I was here in KC than the entire season so far at Coors.
Does that mean there are a lot of Rockies fans in KC or do I just have national appeal?
Either way it was an honor to meet and talk to all those nice folks.
Here’s a few shots from the softball game.
Here’s “Jack the Ripper” trying to rip one.
Group Photo
Not that the score really mattered but it was 4-1 Royals over the Cardinals again.
When the game finished it was time to take some warm-up photos of the Rockies and then head up as high as I could get behind home plate for the stadium shot before the game started.
Rockies warming-up.
LOOK OUT 
Alanna Rizzo.
Robert offered to take a picture of her and I but I chickened out.
I started climbing and here’s the picture that Robert took of me when I reached the top.
I peered out and here’s a shot of Arrowhead Stadium.
I decided to catch the beginning of the game from the very top. I believe other than the Yankees big screen this one is the biggest in baseball.
I thought you Rockies fans might like to see your Rockies on the really big screen.
Here’s a shot of Todd at bat from above.
x
Here’s Giambi at bat from above. 
Dexter at bat from above.
I’ve seen every one of Jeff Francis’s starts so far.
Check out the guy trying to Hi-5 the weiner.
Robert and a pair of feet.
Some shots of the inside of Kauffman.
The Pepsi Party Porch
Bud Light Party Deck
Outfield pole to outfield pole.
Remember former Rockie Scott Podsednik? 
I remember him because he would never sign autographs for fans. Rumor has it here he hasn’t changed.
Ok now to the only ugly part of the trip. About the sixth inning I was sitting along the third baseline almost alone minding my own business taking pictures watching the game. The only people close to me were a group of rowdy college kids.
They were drunk as hell razzing the Rockies, no worries. All was cool until they threw a peanut at me. I turned around and stared them down. They all looked away and I turned back around and let it slide. Then a second peanut was thrown. I saw who did it this and this time I stared him down.
A few minutes went buy and they started chanting LETS GO Roy-Als. Over a period of time that developed into F’ck you Rockpile.
I couldn’t believe it at first, I don’t mind hazing but this made it personal. So I sat there debating what to do. Finally I got up, walked in front of the group and said, “What’s up, you got something to say… Say it now”
The group went silent. I stood there for over 30 seconds and not one of them uttered a word.
Just as I thought. No balls just talk. I let them know exactly what part of a woman’s anatomy they were and headed up the stairs out of that section.
The whole time this was going on a young usher just a few feet away oblivious to everything. I asked if he had witnessed any of that and he said “Witnessed what?”
I’d like to point out this Usher as he was a Jack-A’ss himself. Good job buddy way to monitor your area.
*NOTE: Other than this Usher every other Usher at Kauffman stadium was friendly and helpful to us. Many of them came up to Robert and I over the two days we were here and asked about our Jerseys and where we were from.
KC Royals USHER of the YEAR
I decided to leave that area as I prefer to eat peanuts instead of get hit with them.
As I was walking up the stairs I was thingking “WTF am I doing? That’s not how I roll!” So I walked back down the stairs and picked a seat close to these folks and started taking pictures and shooting video.
That’s how I roll.
Here’s the Peanut Chucker…He’s my Royal’s Jack-A’SS of the game.
In case you doubt my story here’s a little video of this classy group in action.
Remember at this point the Rockies are up 3-0??
I questioned myself afterwards on whether or not I did the right thing. What would you have done in my shoes? You know when someone makes it personal?
Either way it felt good to call them on it. The Rockies win this one 3-0.
Jeff Francis gets his second win and Robert and I get to exit Kauffman stadium with our heads held high. It wasn’t much fun walking out the previous night losers.
Robert and I took the opportunity to razz the Royals fans as we left the parking lot.
Hell Yeah Go Rockies
I had planned to stay a bit late and try to sneak into the batter’s eye like my man Zack Hample last year but things have changed since his visit there.
Probably because of his visit there
Employees now empty the batters eye daily. Other changes include the stadium only opening 1.5 hours early. It used to be 2.5 hours. Rumor has it the players were complaining that the fans were bugging them as they tried to warm-up. Go Figure .
Damn those pesky fans who pay their salaries.
A few more pictures…My autographs.
The Hostess Sweet Spot.
Kent informed me tht the guy wearing the Royals cape is Chris. This dude has been to almost 500 consecutive Royals home games.
Nice job Chris!
The only other thing I wanted to do before I left Kansas City was eat some good BBQ. We decided on Gates BBQ because it was close and I heard it was excellent.
Andy(from spring training) had recommended this place and here’s what I ordered.
Best BBQ I’ve ever had in my life. The pork sandwich was the tenderest pork I’ve ever tasted and it melted as it hit your tounge.
Thanks Andy, I’ll never doubt you again.
Full stomach and the sun setting we hit the road home in search of some thinner and less humid air.
Kansas had great food but it’s way too flat and I dig my mountains.
After I dropped off Robert and was almost home I had to just stop and look. You know, one of those moments.
Home Sweet Home Colorado
Props Go Out To:
All of the Ushers at Kauffman Stadium. Other than the above mentioned guy you were all professional and friendly.
The dudes who hung out in front of the stadium before the games. I chatted with several of you and you gave me good information. I really appreciate that..Thanks
The people of Kansas City. Other than the small group of hooligans throwing peanuts the rest of you are good people and I enjoyed my visit to your state.
Robert for hang’n with me on this adventure.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter and thanks for joining me on my 58 hour Rockies road trip.
Go Rockies…D
We Left our Mark at Isotopes Park
4/2/10
I have to say Albuquerque is a fun city with nice people. I also really enjoyed Isotopes Park. I can say this because after this weekend I officially own this Park.
The whole drive down from Nederland Colorado to Albuquerque I had a good feeling. Good things tend to happen when I have that good feeling .
Isotopes Park is a cool little AAA stadium which is home to the Albuquerque Isotopes. If you’re a Simpsons fan you probably know the Simpsons live in Springfield and they have a baseball team named the Isotopes.
So Isotopes Park has a Simpsons theme. 
The first game against the Mariners was on Friday at 5pm. I gave the Isotopes front office a jingle to find out what time they open the gates and I was told the park would open 2 1/2 hours early.
Opening that early would allow me to catch most of the Rockies and all of the Mariners batting practice and I like those odds. The extra BP time would end up being a good thing as I tied my own personal record for snagging baseballs in one game.
My total for the day was six baseballs. Of the six three were caught and three were snagged on the roll. The number of balls today wasn’t really important. What was important was who hit the balls.
BP homer number one was hit by Ian Stewart and snagged as it rolling down the berm and was given away to a little boy.
Ball number two was also snagged on a roll and was smoothly handed off to another lucky little boy. That ball was hit by Todd Helton and was the first of Helton’s BP homers I’ve ever been able to snag because I usually stand in left field.
Ball number three was caught on the bounce right by the outfield fence. Ryan Spilborghs hit this ball. Here’s the video.
Ball number four was a monster hit from Jason Giambi and I caught it straight up. That ball landed in my glove a bit off the mesh and believe me my hand felt it.
Ball number five was a Ken Griffey Jr home run that I caught and Krista managed to get on video. Griffey wasn’t out hitting for long and I didn’t get his autograph.
Catching Griffey’s BP homer was as cool as it gets for a ballhawk.
Here’s the Ken Griffey Jr ball. It’s perfect except for one bat mark.
I have no idea who hit BP homer number six but it was snagged on the roll and given away to another lucky kid.
Here’s video of a ball I caught and the dude in the white Rockies jersey(not me) knocked it out of my hand. He did that to several people throughout BP.
Some inexperienced ballhawks have no class. No worries, I have no problem letting them know just that
Robert got to experience the end result of a careless ballhawk himself. Although this guy made a pretty good catch, he was holding a bat and when he caught the ball he turned and the bat clocked Robert in the head.
Let’s just say Robert wasn’t happy.
Here’s Robert and I as batting practice ended.
The Isotopes have their own beer and I thought it tasted pretty good.
Here’s a shot of Robert, me, Jack and Kim chill’n on the grassy berm.
Good size crowd on the berm, all of them trying to snag a baseball.
Props go out to my wife Krista for the great pictures and video. The weather today reached a high of 50 degrees and by the sixth inning it was down right chilly.
I was with a group of four people and the group concencious was it was too damn cold to finish watching this game so we left in the sixth inning and at that point the Rockies were losing.
After the game Robert called me and told me I f’ked up by not staying. The final score wound up being an 11-11 tie.
Yeah..I was a bit upset, but that cold weather was giving me post-season flashbacks.
I can tell you that Isotopes Park of Albuquerque has never seen anyone the likes of me.
I was running up and down that grassy berm chasing baseballs making the local ballhawks look like chumps.
I went in there my first day and owned that ballpark.
Stay tuned for game two…Believe it or not it folks it gets better.
Go Rockies
D..The Rockpile Ranter
See what I mean about “Pitch Your Team”
3/17/10 HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY
I’ve had a few people ask questions about the “Pitch Your Team” video contest. So I did a quick one to give you an example. I’m going to enter a video but I can’t win this contest.
FYI…As good as this video is… This is not my entry
Robert sent me a new batch of pictures from Hi-Corbett in Tucson. Here’s a shot of Tulo homering in the Rockies/Cubs game.
Time for the Canadian to get back to work.
Safe
Last night I helped out at the Nuggets game. I was hoping for a chance to sit under the basket and take pictures but unfortunately my pass wouldn’t quite get me that close. 
So I took an empty isle seat in the 4th row. It had a nice view.
Random crowd shot.
K-Mart..who knows how long he’ll be out?
NeNe Slam dunk.
5′ 5″ former Denver Nugget Earl Boykins scored 5 points.
DID YOU KNOW…Boykins weighs 133 lbs and can benchpress 350 lbs.
Rocky looking for a little help.
worked, the Nuggets came from behind to zap the Wizzards 97-87
Thanks to Robert for the pix and thanks to “B” for the Tix.
Here’s a shot of a young fox we saw close to the house chill’n in the sun.
D..The Rockpile Ranter
I need a rest after Rockies Fest
1/23/10
Rockies Fest 2010.
This would be the second time this special Rockies season ticket holder event has taken place and the second time we’ve been there. The weather was expected to be in the mid-40′s today and for January in Colorado I’ll take that.
Below are two things that don’t mix.
Let me tell you though I did have to fight of the urge to run out there lay my a-ss on the field and start pumping out snow angels
Mylee didn’t make Rockies Fest today because she’s been sick for almost a week.
Let me tell you my little girl was extremely sad she couldn’t go so we promised to get her Rockies mini-bat signed for her. We did just that thanks to Huston Street. I chatted with a lot of people yesterday and everyone agreed Street has one of the nicest autographs in baseball today.
Hunter and I had a little time to kill before our the “Pitcher and Catcher interviews” so we toured the Press Box.
While inside we each took our photo ops.
Me in that chair, high above with the killer view of the field. I tell ya it felt like I was home.
I must have been sitting in “The Cowboy’s” chair because it was broke in real good.
As we killed more time and wandered the Club levels of Coors Field we walked up on a huge bin of baseballs.
I was half expecting Zack Hample to pop out of them so when he didn’t I asked someone what this was.
I was informed that object was to guess the number of balls in the cage and it you could only enter if you were 15 or younger.
Lets just say the prizes were a baseball collector’s dream.
I took a few moments and filled out entries for Hunter and Mylee as did every parent with kids I’m sure.
While we were standing there fixated on the autographed bats I bumped into Joy aka LUVMYROX who was there with her family. I believe they also were killing time waiting for their Outfielder interviews to begin.
A few minutes and a hundred feet later I ran into Marianne aka R-Luv who was also exploring the festivities with her family.
Funny thing and I hope I get this all correct. Joy and Marianne have known each other for years through the Rockies forums. During Rockies games they comment back and forth with each other on the forum but up until today had never physically met.
When I met up with Dan today he mentioned that the two of them finally met each other here at the Rockies Fest.
Ladies I’m sorry I missed that photo opportunity. Congratulations how appropriate that you met at Rockies Fest as you both are HUGE fans….Too Cool.
It was time for us to head up to the Pitcher/Catcher interviews. This took place up in Club level. The MC’s hosting this Q N A were Alana Rizzo (my favorite FSN employee), and that other guy Drew Goodman.
For some reason my hands started to shake every time I tried to take a picture of Alana. The above picture was the clearest of the bunch.
Here’s a shot of most of your Rockies pitchers and catchers for the upcoming 2010 Season.
Let me break it down a little better. Below is Chris Iannetta and Matt Daley.
Taylor Buchholz, Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis and Huston Street
Randy Flores, Greg Smith and Miguel Olivo
Last but not least Jason Hammel and Matt Belisle
Most of the questions they asked were a bit regular side. However,I did manage to get video of Jeff Francis when he was asked about his arm and his return.
Here’s the video:
So I guess he’s back. I wish him the best. We need the Canadian.
After the interview session it was autograph time. Our first session was Huston Street and first base coach Glenallen Hill.
As I approached Huston Street I said “Hi I’m Don I write the Rockpile Rant” and I asked him if he was going to continue his MLBlog. Street replied ”Yeah, I’d like to”.
You heard it here first.
Then I moved onto Glenallen Hill. As he was signing my mini-bat Hill asked me “What do you do with all those autographs?” I started laughing and said” Mr. Hill you asked me the same exact question a year ago at spring training.”
Hill looked at me and said “You know I don’t ask everyone that question”.
I’m not sure what he meant by that but he was smiling when he said it so I’ll take it as a positive.
Two down and we had time to burn again. As we walked by the Jeff Francis/Rich Dauer autograph session we noticed the line was short. I asked if we could just go through as it was the tail end of this session and the extremely cool Usher let us.
That totally made my day because I just happend to have with me my 2007 Sports Illustrated magazine with Jeff Francis on the cover. Hunter went into the room first and right away Jeff asked him what his name was.
Then Jeff wrote “For Hunter” on the picture and autographed it.
Very classy Jeff….Thank you.
I handed Jeff my magazine and he looked left at the Usher standing beside him and said “See told you, here’s the first one”. Again I was like WTF? But I think Jeff was making note that every time he autographs for fans someone hands him one of those Sports Illustrated issues.
Least I hope he wasn’t making fun of me..We’re both from Canada?
Rich Dauer signed a picture for Hunter and a mini-bat for me and then we were outta there.
We headed downstairs and while wandering around an Usher asked if we would like Eric Young Jr’s autograph. Without hesitation I said “Yes Sir” and within a few minutes we were standing in front of EY Jr.
Here he is signing Hunters baseball.
EY Jr signing my mini-bat.
EY Jr really seemed like he was having a good time. Keep’n it real, I like that.
When we walked out of there directly across from us was the long line for Don Baylor and Randy Flores. I felt a big smile growing because I’ve never managed to get Don Baylor’s autograph before. It’s not that he wouldn’t sign, just really bad timing on my part.
Today Don Baylor signed an Inaugural Year Rockies Magazine with his picture on it for me.
When I handed him the magazine I said ”Mr. Baylor you haven’t changed a bit”, He looked up at me and said smiling “Yeah right”. Then he autographed it for me.
Here’s Don Baylor autographing Hunter’s baseball.
Here’s Randy Flores autographing Hunter’s baseball.
Hunter and I hurried upstairs so we could catch the tail end of Matt Belisle’s autograph session..
These plates may not be fine china but I’m sure their worth more than the plates I eat off of.
These beauties are a couple of the bat-shovels used to break ground on the Rockies/D-Backs new Spring Training Facility east of Scottsdale last year.
I just wanted to show how the MLB labels game used items. Specifically ones from big games.
Notice how they misspelled Tulowitzki’s last name on the first helmet.
You can see me Tulo and Coors Field in this picture.
This is a special helmet made just for Charlie Hayes who suffered a broken jaw. 
This is the unsigned original artwork used to make the Coors Field Inaugural year opening day ticket.
The World Famous Colorado Rockies Humidor.
Indoor batting cages.
Hunter with a lean mean Don Baylor. 
My Inaugural year Rockies magazine with Don Baylor’s fresh autograph on it.
My 2007 Sports Illustrated with Jeff Francis on the cover with a fresh Jeff Francis autograph on it.
My mini-bats In order…Glenallen Hill, Eric Young Jr, Huston Street, Rich Dauer, Randy Flores, and Clint Barmes.
Here’s all of it minus the hampster and Hunter’s stuff.
Here’s a shot of Ryan Spilborghs on his way to his next session.
Just as Hunter and I were leaving Club level heading home we ran into Robert.
Best hat of the day.
Hunter making his mark just like his pops.
The Rockpile Ranter blessing Coors Field for the upcoming season.(I can legally do that).
It was great to see all of you again. Dan, thank you once again for this special opportunity.
This is the year folks. The chemistry between this group of fellas feels right. We’ve had a taste of the post-season twice in recent years and we can’t go backwards right?
It starts with believing. I believe, Hunter believes, everybody I ran into at Rockies Fest believes.
I’m D The Rockpile Ranter and I believe I’m finished with this entry.
Didn’t miss it by a foot, it hit my foot
5/13/09
Something had to change from the previous game. Over a dozen missed opportunities to snag a ball. Being right there, so close and having to back off at the last second because someone else happened to be sitting in the perfect position to catch the ball.
Some days it just beez that way, but not today. My first ball was a toss up from Ubaldo Jimenez. Originally I thought it was for Hunter (and it may have been) but he overshot Hunter by 15 feet or so and I nabbed it.
The second ball I snagged was hit by Dexter Fowler I tracked perfectly. The ball bounced off the tip of my glove, deflected onto a bleacher and landed right in front of me. I reached down quickly and nabbed my own blown catch.
It was game on from there. The next two were gloved perfectly and within 15 feet of each other. Chris Iannetta hit one of them.
One was a practice ball and the other ball was one I had been waiting for.
I finally nabbed a 2008 All-Star ball.
No big deal to some snaggers as most of you probaly have one, but it was my first.
A teenage girl asked me for it. I told her she could have a ball but not that one. I reached into my backpack and gave her the practice ball.
Rockies left then the Astros were up and within a few minutes I was tracking another ball. I followed this ball as it sailed about mid-way up the bleachers.
I turned then tripped over the bleacher and caught the ball as I was falling down backwards. It wasn’t pretty (more funny), but I caught that sucker.
I gave that ball to the brother of the teenage girl I had handed the other ball too. That family left happy.
Ball six was about thirty minutes into Astros BP and was a quick dash to the right and perfect catch on the run.
Just as batting practice was about to end some big white guy crushed one out to mid-pavilion about 2/3 of the way up and I was on it perfectly.
At the last second I realized I was up one row too high and I missed as it landed perfectly under the bleacher directly on top my foot.
White flash, ouch, oh sheet don’t act stupid Don everyone is looking. Hide the pain because nobody saw it hit your foot.
The whole thing was hidden by the bleacher. Had I danced around in pain people would have wondered what the F’ck was wrong with me so I had to act somewhat normal.
Man, I couldn’t even swear. Me not swearing, I impressed myself.
It was a perfect shot. My first instinct after the white flash was to get that damn ball and as I reached for it a kid in a Rockies jersey scooped it up. I was like “What the” and when I looked up it was Hunter.
It was his only ball of the day and I was glad he got it.
Afterwards we did have a discussion about him not snaggin so close to me and how I don’t like competing against my son for baseballs that I bobble.
I think it looks silly he and I chasing after the same ball,…but anyways.
It was at that point I noticed my shoe was getting tight. That’s not good.
The ball that landed on my foot just happened to have a big H on it.
Some may say that “H” stands for Houston. I don’t think so. I say it stand for “Hurts like Hell” when it smacks you in the foot full force.
My foot throbbed for about 20 minutes and then it went numb.
I figure if you’re going to get hit with a pitch you want it to be in the meaty part of your body. On most people there’s no meat on top of your foot. This type of BP injury was a first for me and hopefully the last. I’ve got almost two weeks to heal up.
After BP we went over to the Rockies side and tried to get some autographs.
Unfortunately were kind of late and were standing in the wrong place for Todd Helton.
Glenallen Hill and Jeff Francis. Hill is looking at me like he remembers me from Spring Training. My favorite line from Hill in Tucson was “What you guys do with all those autographs?” 
Hurdle and Francis
Francis gets the first pitch duties on a regular basis.
That is one happy kid.
Everybody was happy, at least before the game started.
Marquis warming up before the game.
Best haircut of the game. In case you’ve never seen one, this particular hairstyle is know as a Mullet. Very popular in the 80′s but now is usually only found in the deep south.
Southerners do travel and when I get a chance to photograph a rare haircut like this I just cant resist.
This ones a beauty
The Mullet… business in the front, party in the back.
Marquis first pitch.
His second pitch.
Tulo
Ian Stewart had a Grand Slam yesterday and another homer today.
Brad Hawpe tracking a baseball.
Another
Todd Helton at bat.
Spilborghs getting ready.
Helton out at first.
Garrett Atkins proving that white men can jump.
Tulo in action.
Atkins ready to go.
First off if you’re brave/man enough to wear a pink shirt, your picture makes this blog. But the fact he was standing there talking to Bill Gates, well that’s seriously blog worthy.
Although wouldn’t you think Bill Gates would at least sit Club level?
Don’t you think the sweatshirt over the shoulders is a nice touch?
A shot of Dan, Emily and Ryan in the pavilion from my “chosen” seats which were along the first base line.
Dan’s daughter Emily was interviewed on Thursday’s game by Fox News and by Mark Stout of FSN.
I’ll post or link some video when I have it. That should be really cool.
The combination of having to work early the next day, my foot hurting like nobody’s business and the Rockies getting pummelled at home was enough to make me want to go home.
So we did.
I went home and put my foot up. No DL list for me, I’ll be ready by next homestand. Unless I broke a bone and then I’ll be there in a cast.
Final Score Astros 15, Rockies 11.
Coors Field Crack of the Game
Sorry it’s a little blurry, I was laughing
RPR’s Hagg’n Points for this Game
1 Point- For showing up.
15 points- For catching 5 balls on the fly.
2 points- For a toss up from Ubaldo Jimenez.
Total = 18 points
Hunters Hagg’n Points for this Game
1 point- For showing up
3 points- For snagging a ball on the bounce off of my size 12 shoe.
Total = 4 points
My next Rockies home game is Tuesday the 26th. Gotta give some props to my Denver Nuggets. I believed at the beginning of the season when everyone thought I was crazy. I’ve been somewhat silent about their success of late because I didn’t want to jinx anything.
This is the team, this is the Nuggets year, The Lakers are beatable and the Nuggets will do it…D
The fishing today sucked WTF?
5/9/09 Marlins vs Rockies Game 2
I always wanted to catch the introduction of the Rockies players on video and today I did.
Batting practice was OK but I was totally shutout. It still happens once in a while but not so often anymore. I just can’t bring myself to ask a player for a baseball. I love catching or racing up five row of bleachers to beat someone to a ball that has taken a bounce.
It’s all about the chase for me. There’s no chase/play involved when you ask a player for a baseball. Props to those who can do it I’m not knocking you. I just can’t do it.
I had a little bit of play today but everytime I would track a ball and almost get to it, somebody was in my way and I had to let the ball go.
The best batting practices are during the week when the pavilion is less crowded. My friend Emily an MLBlogger who writes the Rockies blog “I live for this” was at batting practice with her friend.
Hunter managed to snag two baseballs today. The first one was a toss up from Manny Corpas.
It was an 2008 All-Star ball and the first one he’s ever snagged.
I’ve yet to get an All-Star ball.
Manny tossed one to Hunter on Friday too. Hunter had another opportunity when the Rockies finished batting practice.
Manny tossed the last ball to Hunter and Hunter didn’t expect it and it hit him just below his neck in his chest.
The ball rolled to the right and some lady kept it for her kid.
Personally any kid that gets hit with a ball like Hunter did should have been given that ball. But like you’ve heard me say here before “Some people don’t get it”.
She doesn’t get it and neither did my boy. No worries, Hunter was ok and already had a ball. After the Marlins BP we went around to the Rockies dugout to see what was up.
When Brad Hawpe finished warming up he headed back to the dugout and on his way tossed Hunter his second ball of the day.
Thank you Brad !
Jorge De La Rosa copping a squat before the game.
Jim Tracy and Alana
Helton taking a stretch.
Ian Stewart doing the same.
Seth Smith
There was a moment of silence for two members of Event Services Staff that had passed away. That was a nice way to pay respect I thought.
BBCHICK asked if I would get some pictures of the High School band performing the national anthem as she some friends who are in the band. I actually shot video of it
Here’s Jeff Francis doing some more public relations work to keep busy.
Then Francis and Dinger head back to who knows where?
Bob, Yorvit and Jorge doing the walk.
Clint Hurdle was out signing autographs today. A few others did but not many. Spilborghs was out there for a good ten minutes signing today.
Jorge De La Rosa is pitching decent I’d say despite his lack of wins. Jorge pitched for 8 innings and had 12 strikeouts. Jorge is (0-3) for the season.
Garrett Atkins went 0-3 and is really struggling only batting .218. It will be nice when he finds his groove cause Atkins can hit. 
Tulowitzki homered in the first inning and went two of four for the day. Troy was replaced in the ninth inning because of a slight strain on his quadricep. The same one he injured last season…I don’t even want to think about Tulo going on the DL right now.
Take it easy Tulo..Heal up that quad brotha
Torrealba broken bat.
I believe if I had to I could kill dinner for my family with that weapon.
I call this picture “Floating Bat Boy Broken Bat”
Jorge at bat.
Jorge and Tulo
Jorge on display
Don Baylor
Torrealba and Baylor
Tulowitzki about to throw
Dexter Fowler at bat
Dexter Fowler swingin.
Hawpe and Atkins
Matt Murton
I call this picture “Tulo’s invisible bat”
Hunter chillin
Jason Grilli was up on the mound after De La Rosa.
Jason keeping a close eye on first base
A quick chat
Hawpe letting one go by.
Barmes and Hill
Look up
A shot of the final score.
RPR’s Hagg’n stats for this game
Attendance 28,227
1 point- Showing up for the game.
1 point -Staying until the end of the game and getting a picture of the final score.
1 point- Snagging four season ticket stubs from the game.
Total = 3 points
Hunter’s Hagg’n Stats for this game
1 point- Showing up
4 points- Two tossed up baseballs worth 2 points each.
1 point- Staying until the end of the game.
1/2 point- Snagging two season tickets after the game.
Hunter has been kicking my butt.
When are YOU going to start Hagg’n? I have prizes …D
I’ve got to tease you before I please you
2/15/09
Listen, do you hear that? That’s the sound of me officially turning things up a notch.
I was looking at some old video of last season and thought I might post a few of them.
You can see Dan and Emily in their seats.
Here’s a shot of Hunter and Mylee on a beautiful summer day.
The gangs all here, minus one. Now Spilly has a job.
Taylor Buchholz waiting for his turn.
Pre-game warm-up
Scott Podsednik tearing it up.
Jeff Francis making Hunter’s day.
It will be nice to chat with my friend Alice in front of the Rockpile gate as we wait to go inside. We always save her a place in line.
I’m ready for some baseball. 
Hunter and Mylee are ready.
Clint’s Ready.
Chris Iannetta’s ready.
Tulo and Atkins are ready.
Spilly’s ready.
The Front Row Regulars are ready.
The wheels are in motion, now get out there and blog like you’ve got a pair (so to speak) :)
Be there or be square…D
Picture and video credit go to my camera, my incredible timing and my index finger.
Twenty five, until my little drive
1/29/09
(<—This is not the Moblile Blogging Unit)
Twenty-five days until the Mobile Blogging Unit reaches mobile blogability. I hope I don’t have any internet connectivity issues whilst I’m mobily blogging.
Congrats to Ubaldo Jimenez. The Rockies signed him to a four year deal worth 10 million and it’s loaded with all kinds of performance incentives.
The Rockies need Ubaldo to stay healthy this season.
Who knows if Jeff Francis will be starting in April. He’s still having issues with that pesky shoulder of his.
Cook, Jimenez, Marquis, who’s the Top Dog if Francis is injured and can’t start off the season?
Is Francis still the Top Dog even if he’s healthy?
I wish I could be in Tucson mid-February to see the pitchers and catchers report. I keep hoping for a last minute surprise in the Rockies bullpen, but at this point I wouldn’t bet on it.
It does get me to thinking, “Who among the Rockies bullpen is ready to take it to the next level?”
My moneys on Ubaldo, but I still have high hopes of Francis returning to his past glory. Cook is a powerful weapon but tends to wear thin with too much usage.
Guess we’ll begin to see in a couple of weeks.
I wish we had somebody new to get excited about.
I wonder how Manny Ramirez would do at this altitude? Manny in a Rockies uniform, now that would be a sight. I’d take Manny for a season. The guy has spark there is no denying that.
I have big hopes for Tulo this season which starts off with him not having any major injuries.
It’s time for this dude to make his mark with the Rockies.
You want to be leader of this team Tulo, show us what you got brotha, and do it all season.
I really believe this is going to be his breakout year.
Tulowitzki healthy and producing all season long is a good thing for the Rockies.
And a good thing for the fans.
Ian Stewart, here’s another guy bursting at the seams with talent and waiting for everything to click.
Ryan Spilborghs, recently married. Happy wife = happy life. This dude should have the season of his life. He’s earned a starting position and I want to see him keep it all season and become a permanant fixture in the outfield.
Man I love talking/writing baseball.
I need some warm weather and a break from the stresses of life.
I’ve earned this little baseball vacation. I still have a spot on the MBU available. No worries here if it doesn’t get filled. Right now it’s Andy, Robert and yours truely.
(<——Andy snaggin at Rockies batting practice)
If all goes his way Robert will be staying in Tucson when Andy and I head back to Denver.
Someday I’ll be able to do that. When I retire it’ll be summers in Colorado and down to Arizona for Fall Ball and Spring Training.
You’ve got to stay busy.
Thank you all for the great comments on my last entry on concerts.
Thanks for stopping by the Rant and reading my filler. You know me, I’m just waiting for the real stuff…D
Holliday missed cause people are pissed
11/11/08 108 days till the Mobile Blog rolls on down to Tucson.
Man, is there a whole lot of smack talking going on about this Matt Holliday trade. I’m finding the ratio to be about 50/50, pleased vs **********.
Me, I’m cool with it. Enjoy the weather Matt. Oakland’s a beautiful city,….psyche.
Most of the fans who are upset about the trade are the ones who have a severe dislike for the Monfort brothers (Rockies majority owners),
Word is the Rockies are going to deal Huston Street (that’s a cool name), but Carlos Gonzalez could work out nicely. He’s another option for center field if the Rockies wind up dealing Taveras?
Gonzalez is twenty three-years old and hails from Venezuela. In his rookie season he hit .242 with four home runs and 26 RBIs in 85 games.
In AAA Sacramento he hit .283 with four homers and 28 RBIs.
Sounds great right. Could be, but Carlos has been known to strike out a lot.
I’ll reserve any judgment until I see this guy in uniform on the field.
Here’s a quote from Gonzalez while riding on a bus to Caracas in Venezuela where he is playing winter ball.
“A lot of people are trying to call me, I’m hearing I got traded. This is baseball; you can’t do anything about it. You just have to get ready to play. Holliday is a very attractive player and he’ll be great for the Oakland A’s. It will be great for me, too. I can make my name in a new organization, but I’ll always thank the A’s for giving me the opportunity, for bringing me up.”
Good Luck in Colorado Carlos !
The other dude included in the deal is lefty pitcher Greg Smith. Smith is 24 years old and attended Louisiana State University.
The D’backs in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft selected him in the sixth round.
In December of 2007 he was traded to the Oakland A’s.
Smith’s first major league start was on April 9 2008. He pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs earning him a no decision.
He record with the A’s is 7-16 with a 4.16 ERA.
In 2008 he led the majors with sixteen pickoffs which tied the record.
They have only been keeping track of pickoffs since 1987.
So the question is, How do you best spend the saved $ from unloading Matt Holliday’s contract and keep fans coming back?
The Monforts have said many times that the amount of money they have to spend on player salaries is dependent on ticket sales.
Losing Holliday, Fuentes or Atkins isn’t going to increase ticket sales. In my opinion there is only one thing that will increase ticket sales.
Cheerleaders…no I’m just kidding. We need a big name in Denver.
We need a Superstar.
Not like a Molly Shannon superstar, we need like a Cole Hamels superstar.
Pitching, it’s the Rockies Achilles heel or athletes foot.
The beginning of this past season was the only time that I can remember feeling somewhat confident in our bullpen.
Why wouldn’t I be, we had made it to the World Series.
That feeling was short lived. Remember Franklin Morales and Kip Wells, not much materialized there.
Jeff Francis didn’t help matters by continuing to pitch sub-par and not informing anyone his shoulder had been hurting him.
Our bullpen struggled right from the start and barely improved through rest of the season. We all know a below .500 season is unacceptable for this Division. Yet it seems to be a benchmark we struggle to reach yearly.
DO IT Monforts, both of you, make that move, do it for the fans.
If it doesn’t work you can sell the Rockies and devote your efforts into developing a tastier hotdog…D
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